ESPRIT JACCKA TO TRY AGAIN Esprit Jaccka is to back up at Addington on Thursday night after her sound second to Coughton Court in a 1 win and faster mobile 1950m pace at Addington on Tuesday, July 5. The Live Or Die mare was given every chance on Tuesday by Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, who secured the run of the race on the outer over the final lap. However, Coughton Court, first-up since returning to the Leithfield stable of Robbie Holmes, had the last say wearning her down by three-quarters of a length in a 1:59.9 mile rate …
NZ junior champ contenders
NZ JUNIOR DRIVERS CONTENDERS After 18 weeks of harness racing competition, the 12 contenders for the 2011 NZ Junior Driver Championship have been decided. Qualifying for the third consecutive year, but the first as a ‘North Islander’, is Mitchell Kerr. Although he was winless during qualifying, Kerr finished one point ahead of first-time starter and the only female contender, Kelly Blakemore. Shane Butcher will also be starting in his first Championship, while Zac Butcher will begin in his third. Zac won the Championship in 2009 over Joshua Dickie, who finished second again last year. Rounding out …
Lethal Rocket sold
LETHAL ROCKET SOLD TO NSW The Overport Lodge team has farewelled tight class pacer Lethal Rocket, who has been sold to clients of Darren Hancock’s stable in New South Wales. The 6YO Pacific Rocket-Shesa Vance gelding furthered a strong career record for trainer Mark Jones over the last two years. “He was sold because of lack of suitable races for him with the NZ handicapping system,” Mark said. “If we brought him up again next season he would have to race the best in races like the Hannon Memorial and Ashburton Flying Stakes.” Lethal Rocket began his career …
Shane Larkins appointed in Victoria
EX-CANTY STIPE GETS TOP JOB Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Larkins to the position of Chairman of Stewards. Shane will replace James Hitchcock, who has accepted a position on the Racing Victoria Ltd stewards’ panel and will vacate the HRV role on July 1. Shane is a passionate harness racing steward, most recently in his current position as Chairman of Stewards (Harness) for Racing Services Tasmania. Prior to that he had been a steward with Harness Racing Victoria and Harness Racing New Zealand. HRV CEO John Anderson welcomed the …
Bob head 2nd in Addington trial
BABES BOY BOB COULD RACE AT FORBURY Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones may nominate Babes Boy Bob for 2-win junior drivers race at Forbury Park on Thursday, June 23, after a bold trial at Addington on Wednesday, June 15. Babes Boy Bob, after beginning well to lead early in the 1-win and faster pace, trailed Samuel James over the last lap and ran him to a head, the winner running the 2600m from a stand in a strong 3:18.6. The leaders quickened over their last 800m in 58s and closing 400m in 28.1s. Babes Boy Bob was in front …
No Victoria Oaks for ‘Jewel’
COMMANDER JEWEL STAYS HOME Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones has cancelled a proposed $A50,000 Victoria Trotting Oaks start for Commander Jewel at Tabcorp Park, Melton, on Friday, June 10. Mark had planned to send the CR Commando filly across to Australia next Wednesday, but has reviewed those plans after she galloped and failed to settle in the $100,000 Overport Lodge 3YO Ruby at Ashburton on Jewels day, Saturday, June 4. The NZ Trotting Oaks winner tailed the field in the Ruby, won by favourite Paramount Geegee, who was too strong for the Phil Williamson-trained stablemates Springbank Sam …
Babes Boy Bob back with trial win
BABES BOY BOB RESUMES WITH TRIAL WIN Babes Boy Bob, spelled after being placed on both days of the Nelson summer meeting in January, resumed with a solid showing to win the 2-3 win mobile pace at the Motukarara trials on Wednesday, June 8. Driven by Scott Stewart, Babes Boy Bob settled last of the four but picked up the leaders in the run home to win going away by half a neck in 2:51.6 for the mobile 2200m from pacemaker Eastwood Cullen, Aziza (parked) and Juryman. The leaders finished off over their last 800m in 59.6s and …
‘Lavros’ makes Jewels
MASTER LAVROS MAKES JEWELS Burnham trainer Mark Jones will drive Master Lavros, one of two NZ 2YO trot record holders he has qualified for for the Harness Jewels $100,000 Neumann’s Tyres and The Tyre General 2YO Ruby at Ashburton on June 4. Master Lavros joined 2YO mobile male record holder Beau Brummell in the starting line-up after posting a NZ record for a 2YO trotter over the 2600m distance from a stand at Oamaru on Sunday, May 22.A huge gelding by Sundon, Master Lavros trotted the distance in 3:31.5 on Sunday, shaving 1.1 seconds off the former long-time mark …
Princeton gets win on board
PRINCETON WINS AT THIRD START Improving 3YO Princeton had the Mark Jones stable back in the winner’s enclosure at Addington on Friday, May 26, after a luckless night at Forbury on Thursday, May 25. Mark found the markers early from the two gate with the Bettor’s Delight gelding, ending up with a three back trail until working into the clear early in the run home. Princeton unwound well to wear down Franco Torres by a head at the end of the mobile 1950m in a 2:00.7 mile rate in the $7500 Mountain River Processors Mobile Pace. “He might …
“Jewel” wins NZ Trotting Oaks
COMMANDER JEWEL TOO GOOD IN OAKS Mark Jones furthered a good association with Oxford owner “Jim” McDonald when they won the $25,000 “Dream With Me Stables” NZ Trotters Trust NZ Trotting Oaks with Commander Jewel at Addington on Saturday, May 14. The combination enjoyed good success with former smart mare Crystal Star (11 wins and $148,406), and also won four races last year with Skip Bo. McDonald, a brother of the late Bill McDonald (of Starship fame), selected Commander Jewel from the NZ Yearling Sales two years ago. “I’ve always wanted a trotter. I bred from Racey …